The White Ferns have beaten the West Indies Women by 24 runs in the third Twenty20 International at Queen Park in Invercargill, taking a 2-0 lead.

Player of the match Sophie Devine knocked 46 from 37 balls to elevate the White Ferns to a first innings total of 133 for six. In response the West Indies fought all the way, but were eventually dismissed for 109 after 19.5 overs.

The White Ferns innings revolved around Devine, who put on key partnerships with Sara McGlashan (18) and Katie Perkins (34) to give the White Ferns a competitive total.

Skipper Suzie Bates got things underway with a run-a-ball 19, before both she and fellow opener Samantha Curtis (8) departed to leave their side at 29 for two.

Devine though would continue their progress, bringing up the 100 for the hosts with a six. She put on 43 for the third wicket with McGlashan, before adding a further 49 for the fourth wicket with Katie Perkins.

Unfortunately, with her half-century beckoning, Devine was caught on the boundary still four short. At 121 for four with 13 balls remaining, the White Ferns added a further 12 runs to their total.

Shakera Selman was the best of the West Indies bowlers, finishing with figures of three for 23 from four overs.

While initially keeping wickets in hand, the West Indies quickly fell behind the required-run-rate and after 10 overs had been restricted to 42 for two.

Kyshona Knight (21) and Shemaine Campbelle (23) began to hunt the boundary rope and had success early on, but couldn’t maintain the pace.

Having swung the momentum back in the West Indies favour, Knight fell when Felicity Leydon-Davis took a sharp caught and bowled in the 15th over. From that point forward wickets tumbled, with all of the Kiwi bowlers getting in on the act.

Suzie Bates in particular was on target late on, finishing with figures of three for 21 from four overs. Two run-outs late on ended proceedings, assuring the White Ferns a drawn series at the very least.

The final two Twenty20s will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.